(H.R. 1363) On tabling (killing) a Democratic effort to appeal the Speaker’s ruling that a Democratic motion continuing to fund federal government programs and agencies at current levels for one week violated House rules.

This was a vote on tabling (killing) a Democratic effort to appeal the Speaker’s ruling that a Democratic motion continuing to fund federal government programs and agencies at current levels for one week violated House rules.

The House had been debating legislation that continued to fund federal programs and agencies for one week but also cut $12 billion from a number of domestic programs, including home heating assistance for low-income Americans as well as clean water programs. House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (D-MD) offered a motion to recommit that would have continued to fund the federal government for one week—but did not cut $12 billion from domestic programs. (A motion to recommit with instructions is the minority's opportunity to torpedo or significantly change a bill before a final up-or-down vote on the measure.) Rep. Harold Rogers (R-KY) raised a procedural objection (known as a “point of order”) against Hoyer’s motion to recommit, arguing that it violated House rules by increasing spending levels in a government-funding bill. The Speaker ruled that Hoyer’s motion violated House rules. Hoyer then appealed Speaker’s ruling. Finally, Rogers made a motion to table (kill) Hoyer’s appeal.

Rogers argued that Hoyer’s motion “proposes a net increase in budget authority in the bill.” Hoyer urged the Speaker to rule in his favor and find that his motion to recommit was in compliance with House rules, saying: “I urge the Speaker to find this motion to recommit consistent with the rules...”

The House tabled (killed) Hoyer’s appeal of the Speaker’s ruling by a vote of 236-187. All 236 Republicans present voted “yea.” All 187 Democrats present voted “nay.” As a result, the House tabled (killed) a Democratic effort to appeal the Speaker’s ruling that a Democratic motion continuing to fund federal government programs and agencies at current levels for one week violated House rules.